Estate Planning 101

What are the differences between a Living Will and a Last Will & Testament?

September 13, 2023

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Need a Will or Trust?

Snug makes it easy to create a Will or Trust in under 20 minutes. Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives are included for free with any Will or Trust, as is a year of free updates.
Get started for free

Need a Will or Trust?

Snug makes it easy to create a Will or Trust in under 20 minutes. Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives are included for free with any Will or Trust, as is a year of free updates.
Get started for free

A last will and testament and a living will are two very different legal documents. A last will and testament is a document that outlines an individual's wishes for how their property and assets should be distributed after they die. It can also be used to name a guardian for minor children and to appoint an executor to manage the estate.

A living will, on the other hand, is a document that outlines an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they become incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. A living will typically specifies the kinds of medical treatments the individual does or does not want to receive, and it can be used to appoint a healthcare power of attorney to make decisions on the individual's behalf.

It's important to note that a living will only goes into effect if an individual becomes incapacitated, while a last will and testament only takes effect after an individual's death. Additionally, a living will only covers medical decisions, while a last will and testament covers the distribution of an individual's assets and property.